Some fans are furious the League One club – who take on Premier League side Hull City in an FA Cup Wembley semi-final today – could reinstate Evans.

Manager Clough and co-chairman Kevin McCabe went to HMP Wymott in Leyland, Lancs, to invite the Welsh international back to training ahead of his October release.

Evans, 25, will return to Bramall Lane after serving two-and-a-half years for raping a 19-year-old woman. The Blades will then assess his ­ fitness and decide whether to offer him a lucrative three-year deal.

But some supporters are far from happy.

“Ched Evans should not be allowed back to Bramall Lane. What about the female fans, how are they going to feel?”

Sheffield United fan, via message board

On messageboard Bladesway, one fan said: “I wouldn’t like my club to be taking on a former convicted rapist.”

Another supporter wrote to the local paper: “Ched Evans should not be allowed back to Bramall Lane.

“What about the female fans, how are they going to feel?”

Evans signed for Sheffield United in 2009 but was released by the club after his conviction in April 2012.

Although the Blades would not comment, Clough has said a striker is “top of his list” of targets as the team push for promotion.